Aotearoa needs a powerhouse girl group - A.R.T has answered the call.

For too long there has been a missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle of Aotearoa’s diverse music industry - a powerhouse girl group. With debut single Be Ready, A.R.T have emerged to take their place amongst the country’s household names

Self-described as “three broke brown girls from a broken city, who dared to dream”, Anastasia, Rosetta, and Tiresa have lived up to their own ambitions over the past few months while wowing audiences as part of TVNZ’s Popstars. Now, Be Ready illustrates just how much effect the show’s development process has had on the group.

The three close friends from Porirua, and of Polynesian descent, first found fame as highschoolers after their gorgeous acapella version of New Zealand’s national anthem went viral online. However, what Be Ready reveals is A.R.T’s true character - three women channelling the warrior power wielded by groups from The Supremes to Destiny’s Child into a fierce new sound.

Inspired by RnB, K-Pop, Soul, Pop, Hip Hop and even Musical Theatre, A.R.T find a way with Be Ready to blend these into a genre-bending, infectious invitation to join their gang; to be healed, to be angry, to be empowered, to be hilarious.

And as the group put it themselves in the final line of the track, this release is simply a herald for what’s to come - “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Link to single ‘Be Ready’: https://smarturl.it/artbeready

GRAEME JAMES ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE TOUR + NEW EP

New EP Field Notes on an Endless Day - Out July 30
First single ‘The Angel of St. George' - Out Now
LISTEN HERE

"His records tend to be calm and ruminative, recalling the work of fellow modern balladeers like Nathaniel Rateliff (during his unplugged moments) and Phoebe Bridgers."- Rolling Stone

"James’s impressive vocal delivery ranges from brooding and grounded, to floaty and ethereal; his voice the perfect instrument to ignite emotion in the core of his listener." - Karla Harris, When The Horn Blows (UK)

"It’s a beautiful record that renders you helpless to its appeal, with tints of scenic bitterness sprinkled throughout that mimic the rural, blanched landscapes charmingly adorning the EP’s cover art." - Everything is Noise (UK)

nternationally acclaimed Kiwi folk artist Graeme James announces a 14-date nationwide tour of Aotearoa this June-August. His upcoming EP Field Notes on an Endless Day, is out July 30th. Listen to the first single ‘The Angel of St George’ HERE.

One of New Zealand’s most streamed indie artists (with over 40 million combined streams on Spotify alone), Graeme James, relocated to Northern Europe in 2018 to tour internationally and release 2019’s full-length album The Long Way Home. He has spent the last 18 months in his adopted home in The Netherlands in an intense Covid-19 lockdown which has provided the opportunity to record an ambitious four-part EP project. While the EP release dates correspond to the Northern European seasons, Graeme is ecstatic to play its entire catalogue (plus some old gems) to his loyal Kiwi fanbase this Winter.

Graeme shares, "After the roller-coaster ride of 2020 I feel incredibly blessed to be back from Europe for a season and have the opportunity to play live music in New Zealand. My last proper tour was actually in the US at the end of 2019 and I can honestly say that the 18-month break from my usual touring schedule has been wonderful for my creative process. 

“For someone who isn’t so good at slowing down, there have been a lot of silver linings in amongst the hardships of the last year - not least the opportunity to record 24 new songs as part of a 4 EP project inspired by the seasons. 

“It’s great to be back in my hometown of Taranaki and I can’t wait to share new songs and stories around this beautiful country."

Graeme James Seasons Tour

Friday June 25th - NELSON, The Boathouse
Saturday July 3rd - WANAKA, TBA
Saturday July 10th - CHRISTCHURCH, Blue Smoke
Sunday July 11th - PICTON, Le Cafe
Saturday July 17th - WELLINGTON, Meow
Friday July 23rd - PALMERSTON NORTH, The Globe
Saturday July 24th - QUEENSTOWN, Sherwood
Thursday July 29th - TAURANGA, Totara Street
Friday July 30th - Saturday July 31st - NEW PLYMOUTH, 4th Wall
Sunday August 1st - TAUPO, TBA
Friday August 6th - HAMILTON, The Meteor
Friday August 13th - AUCKLAND, The Tuning Fork

TICKETS ON SALE NOW - from www.graemejamesmusic.com

---

Listen: Graeme James - 'The Angel of St. George'

In 2020, Graeme announced an ambitious 12 month, four EP project exploring the emotional landscape of each of the four seasons. His upcoming EP Field Notes on an Endless Day, out July 30th, is the final instalment and explores the timelessness of summer, explains Graeme. "As the flirtations of Spring ripen into the romance of summer, life takes on an endless quality. It is a season of abundance, fulfilment and joy, where the days blend into one another and life stands still under the slow summer sun." 

Out now, the EP’s first single ‘The Angel of St. George’ was written in the weeks following an “unexpectedly life-changing summer holiday” in Venice. Upon release last Friday, global playlist features include Spotify's Fresh Folk and Apple Music's New Music Daily. Graeme says of the song, “After initially planning to skip the city altogether, my wife and I experienced a series of beautifully serendipitous moments in Venice. The whole weekend felt like a divinely inspired reminder to embrace who we were made to be.
“I see the light return to your skies
In the city that rides upon the water”

Field Notes on an Endless Day EP follows Old Storms in New Places, which came out in September at the same time as the autumnal equinox (listen here). Next came The Weight Of Many Winters, which, as the title suggests, is inspired by the emotional and physical landscape of the winter season. This EP featured 'The Voyage Of James Caird,' which Rolling Stone named a “Song You Need To Know,” saying Graeme “revives the lost art of the shipwreck song.” Listen to The Weight Of Many Winters HERE. His most recent Spring-themed EP, A Sea of Infinite Possibilities, is described as “an exuberant celebration of life and all of its joys”. 

Though he is now based in the Netherlands, Graeme spent the last number of years building a large and loyal fan base throughout New Zealand and beyond with his carefully crafted multi-instrumental soundscapes. His captivating and dynamic live shows are performed as a one-man band with the aid of a loop pedal to layer violin, guitar, bass, baritone ukulele, banjo, mandolin, accordion, harmonica and percussion. With Graeme's shows regularly selling out in advance you won’t want to miss the chance to see this award-winning artist live in Aotearoa.

Graeme James Seasons Tour - Tickets ON SALE NOW atwww.graemejamesmusic.com

"Striking and evolved alternative folk"- Glide Magazine (The Netherlands)

“One of the most interesting songwriters on the current scene.” Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy)

Popstars unearths Aotearoa’s next teen sensation.

When 16-year-old Skye Hine (Ngāti Porou, Tuhoe) first stood - quietly and bashfully - in front of the all-star panel on TVNZ’s Popstars in early 2021, she had written just a handful of original songs in her life. Debut single Outlier undeniably illustrates the fact that age, experience - and appearances - are no barriers to greatness in the music industry.

Skye Hine initially presented herself to Aotearoa’s television audiences as a shy, stoic teenager with a silky and soulful voice, stacked with potential but obviously unsure of her place amongst the talented industry veterans and contestants Popstars surrounded her with. Outlier lifts the lid on her transformation into a confident, authentic musical artist; as well as her journey into the final four of the show.

The opening lyrics of Outlier immediately provide fascinating insight into the world of reality TV as Hine walks us through a moment in her shoes.

I've only got one thing on my mind, so don't get in my way, and waste my time. Too busy thinkin’ ‘bout the dollar signs, you're after mine, that's outta line.

Hine’s debut release is a powerful statement of identity and strength the likes of which are rarely seen from a 16-year-old, indeed Outlier is bound to garner comparison to fellow local teen-sensations Lorde and Benee - and not without justification. Link to single ‘Outlier’: https://smarturl.it/skyehine

Flamingo Pier SHARE NEW SINGLE 'LAST CALL' FROM SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM - OUT JUNE 4

Today, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland-based music makers, DJs and party throwers, Flamingo Pier share their euphoric new single 'Last Call', from their debut self-titled album out on June 4th on London’s Soundway Records. To celebrate the album release, the trio have announced five headline shows across Aotearoa this July. 

The brand new single ‘Last Call’ is inspired by classic 90's House music where expert musicians were paired with drum machine beats and insistent basslines to create dance music with real soul. Aotearoa Jazz legend Nathan Haines lends bright saxophone to the disco-heavy groove, along with a shimmering duet vocal between band member Dominic Jones and emerging electronic artist Jess Penson (Kédu Carlö). Lyrically, the song reflects on last chances and turning points in relationships. 

Flamingo Pier is ecstatic to take the new record around the country this July, with all five shows set to be an all-out dance extravaganza. The first Auckland date has since sold out super fast on announcement and one more Auckland date on Thursday, July 8 is secured and is on sale now.  

Group member Luke Walker says, “The album release is a momentous occasion for us so we're putting all our creative juices into making the spaces look and sound incredible. Think New York Discotheque 1981... See you on the dance floor soon!”

Flamingo Pier - Album Release Tour

Friday July 2 - 121, WELLINGTON (DJ set)
Saturday July 3 - Flux, CHRISTCHURCH (DJ set)
Thursday July 8 - Galatos, AUCKLAND (full band) NEW DATE ADDED
Friday July 9 - Galatos, AUCKLAND (full band) *sold out
Saturday July 24 - HB Showgrounds, HASTINGS (DJ set) 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW - from www.flamingopier.net

In 2019 and 2020 Flamingo Pier released two widely lauded EPs on UK's tastemaker Soundway Records, garnering support from UK electronic duo Maribou State (Ninja Tune), American radio host, DJ, and producer Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space), BBC 6 Music DJs, The Blessed Madonna, and JD Twitch to name a few. But like many artists in the last 12 months, the group had to navigate the unfamiliar territory of intermittent lockdowns to write and record an album. The silver lining of this however, was that this was the first time that members Luke Walker, Brad Craig, and Dominic Jones were able to create the record in person together instead of collaborating over the internet - because usually at least one of them has been travelling overseas.

They wrote most of the album together in 2020 in Auckland with a swing of local musicians contributing to the recording, including fellow Soundway act Julien Dyneon drums, saxophonist Nathan Haines, as well as Jess Penson (Kédu Carlö). The group centred the album around the power of shared joy, after what has been a very difficult year for many people. “By being a source of joy for others, you amplify that joy for both yourself and those around you, rather than losing anything,” reflects Walker.

Channelling classic emotive house, to disco, Afro and jazz funk on their debut album, Flamingo Pier cite a wide range of musical influences such as Khruangbin, Roisin Murphy, Peven Everett, house legends Masters at Work and Brazilian artist Tim Maia. This translates into an uplifting but nostalgic current running throughout the album - reflecting on last chances, soul-searching and longing for the carefree days of the dance floor.

The group were lucky enough to host the annual Flamingo Pier Festival on Waiheke Island just before another lockdown came into force in February 2021. While this year did not allow for international acts to perform, the vibrant local scene delivered. The power of music, with its ability to create and heighten joy amongst a crowd of people could not have been more apparent, or more needed in this time – something that this album aims to spread even further.

Flamingo Pier, the album, is out June 4th, and June 18th on vinyl. Pre-order at your fave record store or soundwayrecords.com and flamingopier.bandcamp.com.

Christabel bottles the feeling of unbridled freedom in new single

What happens when an astonishing voice, an open heart and a one-in-a-million personality come together to discover artistic freedom? It can only be the uplifting, anthemic debut single If You Ain’t Looking by Christabel.

Inspired and shaped by the likes of Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse, Christabel’s voice carries those rarest of abilities - to be able to silence a room and take listeners on a journey into her world. If You Ain’t Looking does this and more, as she combines her incredible voice with a track that immediately evokes images of festival crowds roaring to life as the chorus hits.

Written in 2020, while the world was in the midst of enforced seclusion, If You Ain’t Looking captures a feeling almost every young New Zealander can relate to: the urge to find freedom, independence and adventure on foreign soil.

Christabel, a self-described “neuro-divergent, static-brained singer and lyricist”, has channelled those same themes as part of the unfamiliar ride that has been TVNZ’s Popstars - she has blazed her own unique path and expression through the show; one that has now culminated in a song fit for an artist who has committed every inch of her life to music and is ready to embrace a truly global audience.

Link to single ‘If You Ain’t Looking’: https://smarturl.it/christabel

Seven Zen – Paintings of the Stars

On her second single release, 17 year old Seven Zen (Kate Popham) explores her love of 80s alternative rock and pop. Combining synths with her own blend of classic & current indie rock to convey a social message in a more intimate and subtle story than her usual direct delivery. Recorded in the home studio, Kate plays all instruments except drums, which are played/ recorded by Darryn Harkness (New Telepathics/Loud Ghost) at Tone Exchange.

Being able to see yourself represented in the world around you is powerful, and something that not everyone experiences. Finding a voice, creativity, and the will to fight back during hardship is a universal story to social minorities such as BIPOC, people living in poverty, people who are takatāpui, or are neurodivergent. So we must elevate marginalised voices so that we can feel the euphoria of seeing people like ourselves represented. “I hope that, in sharing a fictionalised version of these hardships, I can speak to people who feel as if their voice is not being heard and reassure them that if they sing loud enough the melodies will let them fly”.
The release is thematically paired with a cover "Running up that Hill" by Kate Bush. “This song speaks to me about gender anxiety in a way perhaps not entirely originally intended by Kate Bush, though the song did play on gender roles and how a couple may understand each other better if they swapped places”.

Kate has been included on the last 5 Play it Strange ‘Who Loves Who’ compilations as a finalist, including 1st place in 2020 with her cover of Reb Fountain’s ‘Hawks and Doves’. She also won the 2020 Northland regional final of Smokefree Rockquest. Kate is currently attending Auckland University, studying a law, Māori, and drama. She hopes to make a difference in the world with advocacy and music.

THE RVMES ANNOUNCE ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH SPECIAL GUESTS DAVID AND SHIMNA

Auckland band The RVMES are wrapping up NZ Music Month with a stripped back acoustic performance in the super-cosy surrounds of Auckland’s collective-creators, MoveSpace, on Sunday 30th May.

Joining the eclectic foursome are dynamic duo DAVID AND SHIMNA, who will bring their exquisite harmonies, sizzling fiddle, guitar skills and love of laughter to this intimate and attentive musical celebration.

An early Sunday evening show, the RVMES are excited to show another side to the band, paring back their songs to acoustic and telling you stories while you unwind and lounge out on an early Sunday evening.

Join The RVMES and David and Shimna for this special evening. Tickets are on sale now!

AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH The RVMES

with very special guests DAVID AND SHIMNA

SUNDAY MAY 30th @ MOVESPACE, MT EDEN, AUCKLAND

Tickets available from UNDER THE RADAR

PURCHASE LATEST ALBUM LIFETIME HERE

WOMAD NZ RETURNS 18-20 MARCH, 2022

WOMAD, the world’s festival, is delighted that following New Plymouth District Council’s announcement of a host city agreement with WOMAD International, New Zealand's premier international festival will return to its home of the last 18 years in the stunning Brooklands Park in Taranaki in 2022. The festival dates of March 18-20 have been confirmed.

After a year off in 2021 due to the global pandemic, 2022 will be an extra special year with all the features that have made WOMAD NZ an award-winning festival along with a raft of new ideas and exciting developments to celebrate its return.

Getting WOMAD NZ back up and happening has been a priority for Director of WOMAD International, Chris Smith. 

Smith, who has been in New Plymouth for the festival for the last 14 years comments, “2021 was such a difficult year around the world, but this partnership agreement has been central to the decision to bring the festival back in 2022.  WOMAD means so much to the people of New Plymouth who welcome our artists into their community and the festival brings a significant investment into the regional economy – We simply can’t wait to be back here in March.”

Now in a five-year direct partnership with the New Plymouth District Council, the three-day WOMAD festival will continue to be produced by TAFT (Taranaki Arts Festival Trust) who have presented the festival in New Plymouth since 2003.

CEO of TAFT, Suzanne Porter remarks, “Over the last 30 years, TAFT has proven that we have the expertise to deliver world-class festivals and events that have positioned Taranaki as a tourist destination, boosted the local economy, and ensured that our people access arts and cultural experiences outside of the metropolitan areas. TAFT is incredibly grateful for the surety that NPDC has provided, ensuring that WOMAD NZ can still call the beautiful Bowl of Brooklands, Taranaki, its home here in New Zealand. We are delighted to be partnering with WOMAD International once again.”

The WOMAD festival provides a substantial economic boost to the Taranaki region pulling in over 11,000 visitors to the region each year and delivering $6 million dollars into the local economy.

Chairman of the TAFT Board Charles Wilkinson adds, “TAFT is thrilled to continue to deliver WOMAD to the thousands of people who attend each year.  2022 will see the WOMAD NZ festival carry on business as usual for our festival teams and volunteers. We are looking forward to welcoming back WOMAD audiences for our 17th anniversary year.”

New Plymouth District Mayor, Neil Holdom said, “This is awesome news for music lovers, local business and visitors as the country emerges from our Covid bubble. WOMAD is part of our district’s DNA.”

Smith adds, “We are intending to deliver the international line-up that WOMAD NZ fans expect, through the richly diverse talent already here in New Zealand and hopefully supported by a number of artists from overseas if circumstances allow.”

WOMAD NZ 2022  is set to be a glittering celebration of our Aotearoa/New Zealand cultures and the diversity of our magnificent world as always.